Last Minute Season Predictions OSU Football

Keep in mind, this is just for fun, but I'm putting it all out there...If it all plays out like this, I will be a rather happy Beaver fan.

Game One: Portland State University

W.  The players won’t talk smack but I will: OSU dominates.

More importantly, the defensive line should keep Portland State running around like a… well you turn the phrase. It’s a warm-up game, with all apologies to my favorite team from the Big Sky Conference.  Will they beat the spread? Will they care to? Coming out of this with a W and no injuries is all that matters.

35-14.

Game Two: @University of Nevada at Las Vegas

W, but it will be scary.  Away game, in September, could be a loss.  This is not a BCS-bound team in the next two years by most accounts, unlike most of our September road trips lately.  Should be close, but the Rodgers brothers and Sean Canfield will provide the difference in this one.

41-28 OSU on top, but should be close at half. 21-14 or 17-14 at the half I would guess.

Game Three: University of Cincinnati

W. Revenge is not as big of a concern as the fans will make it, but OSU at home has been scary, and the crowd will be amped for this game.  The defense might start to gel here, but it may take until Arizona State for them to really start feeling dominant.

34-21 OSU gets revenge on a young defense.

Game Four: University of Arizona

W. Arizona hasn’t won in awhile and their quarterback, whomever it might be, will still be raw.  Their defense will still be good, as always, and their playmakers are there in droves.

31-24 OSU comes out hard early and coasts through the second half, relying on the defense to hold off to the end.

Game Five: @Arizona State University

W, for the first time in the Riley era.  Could easily be a loss, and the most likely stumbling block early in the Pac-10 schedule.  ASU should have a great defense, but I can’t see the offense struggling too much here, and the defense should gel before or during this game. Close fought, sealed late by an ASU interception.

24-17.

Game Six: Stanford University

W. Revenge game against the up-and-comers who I see making a bowl game this year, and for years to come with all the talent Harbaugh is bringing in and the smash-mouth style and edge he brings to the Cardinal.  OSU has too much firepower, and the defense will know what to expect from Stanford’s offense. 

Stanford will make mistakes in the passing game from the pressure OSU brings as they begin to look like world-beaters.

35-20.

Game Seven: @University of Southern California

L. Revenge for a denial of a national title game is actually a big deal to players who just felt it the year before.  The defense will be good, and this will be a really slow game, or a really fast game if you consider the way the clock will melt off. OSU keeps it close against a nubile defense, but USC will look very good in the Coliseum. 

17-24.

Game Eight: University of California at Los Angeles

W.  After breaking the incredible losing streak to UCLA by the Riley-led Beavers last year, they will make it two in a row. The Beavers should have a fly-sweep revolution in this game and I see both Quizz and James going over the hundred-yard mark before McCants comes in to seal the game. 

The game will be over by the half, but Riley will keep the foot on the pedal running the fly-sweep three times, along with McCants and Quizz for over 100 yards rushing in the third quarter.

38-20.

Game Nine: @University of California at Berkeley

W. I know I will get some flack for this call, but OSU has not lost in Berkeley in a long time.  As always, this game will be close, and a defensive struggle, and punting will play a crucial role.  Johnny Hekker has the best performance of his career, downing three punts within the 10 yard line, with two inside the five.

One interception for a touchdown makes the difference with Cal’s backup RB Shane Vereen held under 2 yards a carry, and Best has one You-tube 80+ yard run but held back otherwise.  Kevin Riley will feel the pressure, and will crack this time. 

21-14.

Game 10: University of Washington

W. Washington will progress, but will not make the top half of the conference this year.  The winning streak against the Huskies is safe for one more year.  This time the game will be over by the half, as the pro-style look Washington gives will stall against a Beaver defensive system designed well to defeat it.

34-14.

Game 11: @Washington State University

W.  Washington State will still be abysmal, as the Cougars don’t have the talent, speed or strength to truly compete in the Pac-10. I wouldn’t put a win in the mix past this group, but not against OSU. The Cougar defense will look horrible against the Rodgers brothers, but it will not be as bad as last year. 

Expect to see someone really step up in this game that you haven’t heard anything from during the rest of the season.

54-14.

Game 12: @University of Nike...I mean Oregon.

Come on, I’m a Beaver for life, had to make one crack.  If Masoli is healthy, and so is Blount, I cannot see a win here. Expect it to be a lot closer than last year though. L. I’m not going to predict a score, but it’s a war, and expect it to look like it this year.

Overall, I expect the Beavers to be tied for second in the Pac-10 with USC winning the tie-breaker.  USC will get an at-large bid to the BCS, and OSU will play in the Holiday Bowl.  I pulled out the game we should not win but will at California, but not the game they should win but will not. 

Should be a great, enlightening season for the Beavers, and I expect them to be in the Top-25 for a fourth straight season.